WW1 Exhibition

This Section is intended to complement an exhibition which is the culmination of a partnership project which took place during 2014 and 2015. The project was part of the commemoration of the First World War and the aim has been to create an interesting and informative exhibition based on local research and real life experiences.

The focus is on the contribution, service and sacrifice made by members of the Gypsy Traveller community highlighting the impact the war had on their traditional way of life and their families at home. The project also explores the experience of soldiers returning from the war to Perthshire who were suffering from Shell Shock. It looks at the treatment they received in local hospitals and their welcome home by local people and their families. This is contrasted with more recent experiences of service personnel with Combat Stress and the support offered to them.

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to all the volunteers who have been involved in any way in the project and to the funders who made it possible. In particular, we would like to acknowledge the efforts of community artist Shamus McPhee for his artwork, personal testimonies and research. All images used by kind permission. We would like to thank our many partner organisations all of whom have provided support at different stages of the project, they are:

• Perth & Kinross Council Housing & Community Care
• Perth & Kinross Council Education & Children’s Services (Local Studies and Archives)
• MECOPP Gypsy/Travellers Carers Project
• SSAFA Perth and Kinross Branch
• Plus Perth
• Black Watch Association
• Black Watch Museum
• Blair Castle Archives
• NHS Tayside Archives (University of Dundee)

We would also like to acknowledge the author Suzie Grogan for allowing us to quote extensively from her publication.

Exhibition Available to Hire

This exhibition is available to hire free of charge, please contact info@rajpot.org.uk for further information.

Booklet

In support of the exhibition, a booket was produced to commemorate the contribution, service and sacrifice made by the Scottish Gypsy Traveller community during the First World War. To request a copy, please contact info@rajpot.org.uk supplying your full contact details.